TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog

Month: May 2013

  • Civil War Book Review: THE BATTLES THAT MADE ABRAHAM LINCOLN

    THE BATTLES THAT MADE ABRAHAM LINCOLN: How Lincoln Mastered his Enemies to Win the Civil War, Free the Slaves, and Preserve the Union by Larry Tagg Product Details Paperback: 576 pages Publisher: Savas Beatie (November 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1611211263 ISBN-13: 978-1611211269 A wonderful and unique look at Lincoln’s presidency. Our Abraham Lincoln is the […]

  • Burnside Expedition Conclusion

    Combined Failure No further major operations were undertaken by Burnside as his expedition became inexorably linked to the success of the Peninsula Campaign. As early as April 2 the two campaigns became associated when McClellan wrote to Burnside; “…if I succeed in driving the enemy out of Richmond I will at once throw a strong […]

  • May 2013 Civil War Book Notes

    Those that can’t write, Review! May 2013 James W. Durney *********************************************************** In the stores When this is being written, I am reading Scott L. Mingus Sr.’s Confederate General: Gov. William “Extra Billy” Smith: From Virginia’s Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat.  Extra Billy is quite a character.  He was a businessman, politician and the oldest Confederate generals […]

  • Civil War Book Review: DIVIDED LOYALTIES: Kentucky’s Struggle for Armed Neutrality in the Civil War

    DIVIDED LOYALTIES: Kentucky’s Struggle for Armed Neutrality in the Civil War by James Finck Product Details Hardcover: 216 pages Publisher: Savas Beatie (July 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1611211026 ISBN-13: 978-1611211023   In 1861, states faced the difficult choice of remaining in the United States of America or leaving.  The majority of states chose to leave […]

  • 150 Years Ago, May 1863

    150 Years Ago May 1863 The quick bloodless war that men afraid they would miss is entering its’ third summer.  Both sides are showing signs of strain.  Black wreaths hang on many doors and the streets are full of maimed men.  Some historians think the dead were deliberately undercounted.  Both sides sent badly wounded and […]

  • Did the Moon Do In Stonewall Jackson?

    Or is this just another loony theory? Two astronomers from Texas State University think that the angle of the moon had a lot to do with Stonewall’s fatal wounding at Chancellorsville. If Jackson’s reconnaissance party was riding in bright moonlight, then his own men should have recognized them as they returned from the Union’s side, […]

  • Burnside Expedition Part 7

    South Mills (Camden) – 19 April 1862 While the preparations for the siege of Fort Macon were being made another issue came to the attention of Burnside. It was believed that the Confederates were constructing ironclad ships at Norfolk with the intention of passing them down the Dismal Swamp Canal into Albemarle Sound. In an […]